Gret,
Not a correct analogy. We aren't 'recruiting'. Everyone is already in the union. Now I do realize that the former NJI folks had no choice.
But didn't they? The union is not forcing anyone to remain employed at NJA. Hate unions, and especially THIS union? No problem, quit and take another job that's non-union where the employer can screw with you wages and work rules all day, every day.
I always enjoyed B19's posts where he would argue that if you didn't like the work conditions at a non-union shop you should just quit and go somewhere else. Well, I would argue the same applies to folks working at union shops who don't like it.
If you choose to stay, then whether you like it or not, you are accepting the union way of doing things. I'm pretty sure everyone currently here knows what it's all about. If you then decide you're going to actively work against the union's goals (which is what scabbing is) then you are also accepting the consequences of doing that. Coming on message boards and whining that you don't understand why union folks are such big meanies to scabbers is like complaining you don't understand why your best buddy hates you after you've slept with his wife.
By the way, the financial reports at NJA are quite impressive! Please explain why you think now isn't the time to ask for the moon. Additionally, these negotiations will take some time. Years really. When asking for more, I would agree that timing is everything. But if the trends are looking up, you need to start the process to end up hitting it at the best point. It's a bit of a guess, but well, a lot of things are. If we wait until we are actually at the top of curve, by the time we get to the meat and potatoes of negotiations we may be into a downturn, which would not help our case one bit.
As for the rest of your post, it's irrelevant. Who cares what others make and whether they'd be happy to be where we are now. Are you suggesting that we should all compare ourselves to the lowest paid people in America, and if we're above them just shut up and be happy? Great. We can all make minimum wage and not complain because that's what others do. I suppose if I tell my friends and family what my compensation package is compared to the average janitor and mention we are trying for more, they might be laughing their butts off. But if I tell them my compensation package compared to the other top-of-the-line professional compensation packages in this industry (FedEx, Delta, United, heck, even USAirways) they would probably wish me luck and wonder why I make so much less.
I suppose it's all perspective. I can appreciate yours, but can't agree with it.
You know, it still amazes me that pilots don't support each other 100% when another group of pilots are trying to improve things. What is it to you or Yip if we're trying for a much improved compensation package? If we succeed, isn't that good for everyone across the industry? Everyone hates the race to the bottom we've seen so often in this industry, and even get derisive about the pilots who take concessionary contracts, or go to work for ratbag operators. But so many of those same folks also appear to hate those who are trying to race to the top. Why isn't every single person on Flightinfo (who isn't a management troll) cheering us on and wishing us the best? I remember so many telling us that our '05 contract would bankrupt the company. And even after we went on to record profits AFTER the contract was signed, no one said 'nice job'. And ironically, we saw a lot of other operators give raises to their pilots 'coincidentally' right after our contract was signed. Heck, Citationshares' new pay scales almost exactly mirrored our pay scales. Oh yeah, coincidence. I wonder how many union haters at other operators who got raises right after us rushed to give that money back to their employer.
How about everyone just say "Good luck guys.". If you work at NJA, our success will directly benefit you. If you don't work here, our success is still likely to benefit you in some way.
And if we fail or put the company out of business, THEN come in with all the "greedy idiots" and "I knew that was going to happen" and "stupid union" comments.